I want to share a few words from Sinclair Ferguson’s book, The Christian Life, chapter 8 on True Repentance…

But this continuing repentance will also have a beginning which is related to it as the seed is to the fruit. That seed is planted in us at regeneration when Christ’s death to sin begins to find a grip upon our hearts. The paradox of spiritual growth is that as faith deepens and brings with it new levels of joy and assurance, so also repentance deepens, bringing ever more profound an awareness of our need of Christ. The purpose of God is clear. The more we sense our need the more we shall find our need met in Christ. The more we find our need met in Christ the nearer we will come to him. The nearer we come to him the more we will discover our hearts saying: ‘If you should mark my sins, Lord, I could not stand. But there is forgiveness with you that you may be feared.’

This analysis of repentance impresses on us what a radical thing it always is. It affects our emotions, but its influence extends to every aspect of our being and challenges us in our relationships with others as well as with God. It is a mistake to think that we repent only once, at the beginning of the Christian life. Repentance means the whole of life returning to the purposes of God. Therefore it continues throughout our entire life.

I’m new to Sinclair B. Ferguson. This is my first book read of something from this pastor/author. I know I’m missing a lot of good stuff in this eighteen chapter book, but what I am getting is really feeding my soul. I’m already planning to go through it again… perhaps with my son or maybe the whole family.

Some favorite Truths…

1 Pet 4:12 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Thes 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Jer 9:23-24 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

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